Lauren Lee | September 23, 2024 - Atlanta, GA

One of the core parts of Georgia Tech’s Vision 2030 is making technology broadly accessible. GA Tech’s Center for Inclusive Design and Innovation (CIDI) is recognized nationally as a leader in accessibility research and services. That’s why the Mayor’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (MODEI) recently visited for an overview of the Center’s many offerings. The goal of the visit was for the MODEI team to learn about CIDI’s services and discuss ways they might advance accessibility efforts in the City of Atlanta.

The visit began with a brief introduction to CIDI given by Dean Ellen Bassett from the College of Design and the Center’s interim executive director, Zerrin Ondin-Fraser. Their remarks centered on CIDI’s mission to improve the human condition through equal access to technology-based and research-driven information, services, and products for individuals with disabilities.

Each of the service units then had the opportunity to present what they do. First was the Information and Communication Technology and User Experience (ICT/UX) Unit, which provides services for clients ranging from the University System of Georgia and other higher ed institutions to international nonprofits and Fortune 500 companies. Their goal is to increase web-based and mobile accessibility and align websites to federal standards and best practices. Those who benefit from their work include those who are blind/have low vision, those who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, and those with learning disabilities, as well as people who are auditory learners or aging. 

The E-text Services unit then had the floor to discuss how to make digital documents like PowerPoints and PDFs accessible to people with learning disabilities and those who use screen readers, an assistive device for those who are blind/have low vision. These efforts open the world for people who would otherwise not have access to information that lives in the digital sphere.

Captioning and Described Media provides real time captions and video captioning for both live and recorded events. Captioning makes both learning and entertainment more accessible for people who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing, but they also benefit anyone who is in a loud, busy space. This unit currently captions 82 individual college classes and contributes to state and federal contracts as well. This unit also provides audio descriptions for individuals who are blind and low vision. Audio descriptions benefit people who are blind/have low vision to understand video content that requires additional description.

Tools for Life, Georgia’s Assistive Technology Act program, presented their program aimed to provide Georgians of all ages and disabilities the opportunity to gain access to assistive technology devices so they can live, learn, work, and play independently. These services include a Lending Library, where anyone can check out an assistive technology device just like they would check out a book at a regular library. They also provide assistive technology demonstrations and trainings. 

The event ended with a tour of the Tools for Life lab and the Braille production line. CIDI has the largest braille production line in the state of Georgia, which provides braille materials for blind and low-vision students across the state. 

Tahajnah Spence, Community Affairs Coordinator with MODEI, said of the event that, “The discussions on accessibility and community engagement were particularly inspiring and have sparked new ideas about how the City should be advancing this work.”

One of the main organizers of this meeting was Interim Associate Director, Research Operations Johan Rempel at CIDI. His thoughts on the event? “CIDI is a nationally recognized center. It is an honor to support the efforts of the City of Atlanta in our local community and aligns with Georgia Tech’s mission of developing leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition.”